US tech groups challenge Australia’s teen social media ban in court

A wave of legislation aimed at curbing minors' use of social media is sweeping across continents, with the European Commission proposing a new EU-wide framework and Australia's pioneering teen ban facing a legal challenge backed by American tech industry groups.

EU Proposes Sweeping KIDS Act

The European Commission on September 17 adopted the EU KIDS Act, a proposal that would ban children under 13 from social media entirely and set 15 as the minimum age for opening an autonomous account. Children aged 13 to 14 would be permitted to use platforms only through guardian-managed "mini accounts" with limited features and screen time capped at one hour per day.commission.europa+2

The proposal would also ban addictive design features for users under 18, including infinite scroll, push notifications during sleeping hours, and unsolicited contact from strangers. Companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to 6 percent of their global annual sales. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the act "is reversing the burden of proof — it is for platforms to show they are safe by design".reuters+2

Australia's Ban Faces Legal Challenge

Meanwhile, Australia's landmark law barring under-16s from social media — which took effect in December 2025 — is being contested in the country's High Court. Reddit ↗ 5.22% brought the challenge days after the law entered into force, arguing it breaches the Australian Constitution's implied freedom of political communication.politico+1

NetChoice, a U.S. trade group representing Meta ↗ 11.34%, TikTok, Snapchat Snap Inc. ↗ 3.07%, and other platforms, along with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, have asked to file friend-of-the-court briefs supporting Reddit's case. NetChoice's submission described the ban as "the most extensive prohibition on youth access to social media in force in any liberal democracy," noting its members have removed or suspended 1 million accounts as a result, according to Politico. The group pointed to France's Constitutional Council striking down a similar law in August as insufficiently tailored to the risks.politico

A Growing Global Movement

The EU and Australian actions are part of a broader trend. According to Reuters, Australia was the first country to ban social media for under-16s, and many others have followed in 2026. Greece, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the UAE have all passed restrictions this year, while Britain, New Zealand, Germany, and others are advancing proposals. In the United States, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed new restrictions on September 11 barring children under 16 from addictive social media features.tbsnews+1

Australia's Communications Minister Anika Wells has defended the ban, saying in March that the laws are "about giving young Australians a break from the pervasive pull of social media". The Albanese government has yet to file its formal defense in the High Court case.politico